News from the Grand Lodge

The Freemasons of Vermont proudly announce the scheduling of its Comprehensive Assessment and Recovery Effort (C.A.R.E.) program for 2008.  This Masonic Model Student Assistance Program (MMSAP) teaches team solutions to educators and administrators at the elementary and secondary level.  This is our flagship charity program, offered to schools and paid for by the Grand Lodge of Vermont.  Attendees receive Continuing Education Units.

This year’s training will be at the Doubletree Hotel in South Burlington from March 18-20, 2008.  Please follow this link for copies of the brochure and “Save The Date” flyer.  Please contact schools in your area about attending this valuable program.  The superintendents should have already received the flyer and brochure.  They may direct questions to our Grand Secretary or to Lucille Chicoine at the State Department of Education at 802-828-5922.

Links:
Download the Save the Date Flyer  and  Download the Brochure

Grand Lodge Off

Vermont Day 2008 in Sarasota, Florida at Sahib Shrine Temple on Wednesday, March 12, 2008. The Social Hour is at 12:00 noon and lunch at 1:00 P. M.  Lunch is $18.00 per person, ladies welcome.

Download the reservation form (PDF) and return it soon.

Grand Lodge Office

Rural Lodge #29 of Rochester has announced that the annual "Deer Hunter's Special", scheduled for November 24, 2007, has been canceled due to incomplete renovations of the lodge building. Questions may be directed to George Deblon, Lodge Secretary.    

Rural Lodge

Caledonia Lodge No. 98 will present their 13th Annual Wild Game Supper  on November 3, with seatings at 5 and 6 PM. This year's fare will  include: several cooked styles of venison, moose, bear, beefalo, fish,  local garden vegetables, dessert, and beverages in addition to other  items. Additionally, the drawing for the Lyn-Burke Masonic Association's  CVA Omni Muzzleloader Rifle Kit (including accessories) will be held  between the seatings. This is classic, family oriented, buffet game  supper is a proven, outstanding dinner - and the cooks and servers for  this meal are hunters who know how to serve up a great meal and who are  happy to swap hunting stories.

Everyone is welcome but as there's space  for only 50 at each seating, reservations are suggested. You can make  reservations by calling 467-3724 or 467-3433 or 467-3372. Dinner costs  $13.75 for adults ($6.50 for kids under 12, and $25.00 for couples). 

Location: Lynburke Masonic Temple located on Hiram Drive in the Egypt  Development, about two miles north of Lyndonville on US Route 5. Signs  will be posted for directions. Based on past history of these suppers,  you're sure to enjoy yourself and the food. Proceeds from the dinner go  to support the Lodge.

Caledonia Lodge No. 98

July 28, 2007 - Sponsored by The Grand Lodge of Vermont, the bus trip will start on November 1, 2007 and go until November 4, 2007.  Brother Calvin K. Keyler, Most Worshipful Grand Master will be leading the trip.

The Month of November is Grand Lodge of Vermont Day at the George Washington Masonic Memorial in Alexandra, Virginia.  Grand Master Keyler wants to have as many who can go with him for a Grand Lodge Meeting at the Memorial.  There will be a program at that time.

We will be stopping at other memorials in the Washington D. C. Area.

More information coming soon about reservations and prices, but be sure to mark your calendars now.

Grand Lodge Office

July 20, 2007

Dear Brethren:

            It is with sadness that I report to you the passing of Brother Welland S. Horn, Most Worshipful Past Grand Master, Grand Lodge of Vermont from 1979-81.  Brother Welland passed July 19, 2007.

            The Tossing Funeral Home in Rutland, Vermont is in charge of arrangements.  It will be several weeks before a memorial service will be held.  His sister is in charge and she is in the hospital with a fractured leg.  That is the reason for the delay of the memorial service.

            It is with sadness that I report to you the passing of Brother John Webster Drew, Worshipful Grand Organist of the Grand Lodge of Vermont.  Brother John passed July 19, 2007 at 2:30 A. M.

            The calling hours for Brother Drew will be at the Aldous Funeral Home, 44 North Main Street, Rutland, Vermont, Wednesday, July 25, 2007 from 4:00 P. M. to 7:00 P. M.

            The Order Eastern Star Funeral Service will be at 7:00 P. M. with the Masonic Funeral Service following with the Grand Lodge Officers conducting the service.

           In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorial contributions be sent to “Masonic Charities of Vermont, Inc.”, 49 East Road, Barre, Vermont 05641-5390.

Sincerely and fraternally,

Cedric L. Smith, PGM, R.W. Grand Secretary

Brother Merlin T. Doyle, a member of George Washington Lodge No. 51, Chelsea, Vermont has been appointed to be the representative at the Veterans Hospital in White River Jct., Vermont. He replaces Brother Lunnie W. Clark who died on July 27, 2007.  We are looking for a Deputy for Brother Doyle. 

Brother Doyle is a retired farmer in Chelsea.  Also, he has been very active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars. (VFW)  He is a Past President of the VFW in Vermont.  This makes Brother Doyle a natural for the Hospital Visitor at the Veterans Hospital in White River Junction, Vermont.

If anyone knows of a patient in the VA Hospital, be sure and let Brother Doyle know.

Fletcher Allen Hospital - Burlington

Brother Thomas C. Bailey, a member of Ethan Allen Lodge No. 72, Essex Jct., Vermont is representative at the Fletcher Allen Hospital in Burlington, VT. If anyone knows of a patient in the Fletcher Allen Hospital, be sure and let Brother Bailey know.

At Grand Lodge in June, Brother Campbell, Grand Master, recognized our Representative at the Fletcher Allen Hospital in Burlington, Vermont.  Brother Thomas C. Bailey has served more then 17,000 hours and 24 years as the Masonic Hospital Visitor at the Fletcher Allen Hospital.  Brother Tom is one of the most thoughtful persons you will ever want to meet.  He is a member of Ethan Allen Lodge No. 72, now meeting in Williston, Vemront.

Vermont Veterans Home - Bennington

At the Vermont Veterans Home in Bennington, Vermont, Brother John Kennedy, Jr. is the representative at the Vermont Veterans Home.  Brother William C. Carroll is the Deputy and resides at the Veterans Home.  Both Brothers are members of Tucker Lodge No. 48, No. Bennington, Vermont. If anyone knows of a patient in the Vermont Veterans Home, be sure and let Brother Carroll know.

For addresses and phone numbers for the Brothers above, please contact your Lodge Secretary or Brother Cedric Smith, Grand Secretary. 

For more information about the Masonic Service Association of North America and the Hospital Visitation Program, please see their web site.

Cedric L. Smith, PGM, R.W. Grand Secretary